A software program that searches and browses mission data emulates a Web browser, containing standard metaphors for Web browsing. By taking advantage of back-end URLs, users may save and share search states. Also, since a Web interface is familiar to users, training time is reduced. Familiar back and forward buttons move through a local search history. A refresh/reload button regenerates a query, and loads in any new data. URLs can be constructed to save search results.

Adding context to the current search is also handled through a familiar Web metaphor. The query is constructed by clicking on hyperlinks that represent new components to the search query. The selection of a link appears to the user as a page change; the choice of links changes to represent the updated search and the results are filtered by the new criteria. Selecting a navigation link changes the current query and also the URL that is associated with it. The back button can be used to return to the previous search state.

This software is part of the MSLICE release, which was written in Java. It will run on any current Windows, Macintosh, or Linux system.

This work was done by Jeffrey S. Norris, Michael N. Wallick, Joseph C. Joswig, Mark W. Powell, Recaredo J. Torres, David S. Mittman, Lucy Abramyan, Thomas M. Crockett, Khawaja S. Shams, and Jason M. Fox of Caltech and Melissa Ludowise of Ames Research Center for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Daniel Broderick of the California Institute of Technology at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Refer to NPO-46832.